Bridle-bit.



- Patented Sept. 5, I899. W. P. BROWN. BBI DLE. BIT.

(Application filed July 15, 1899.)

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Attorr leyr W esses.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

XVILLIAM P. BROWN, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 632,439, dated September 5, 1899. Application filed July 15, 1899. Serial No. 723,915. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM P. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in BridleBits, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in bridle-bits, and is an improvement upon a former patent issued to myself and Charles E. Guy December 24:, 1889, No. 418,012.

In practical use objections have been raised against the bit described in the aforesaid prior patent on the ground that the monthbars were too tightly bound by the spring-actuated cross-head when the latter was permitted to bear directly upon them, and it was found that there was also too little freedom of movement when the bars were passed through a loop extending from the cross-head,

as is also shown in said patent, it being found necessary for the successful operation of the bit that the mouth-bars be allowed great freedom of movement to prevent them from bin ding or pinching the tongue or lips of the horse and also to permit them to respond freely to a pull upon the reins. The inwardly-projecting lug which serves as a guide for the springsupporting spindle or rod of the cross-head has also been found objectionable on the ground that it tends to bear against and inj ure the cheek of the horse.

The object of this invention is therefore to provide a bit of this class which will be free from the above objections.

In the following description reference is had to the accompanying drawings,in which Figure 1 is a rear view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a view of one of the side rings as seen from the outer side. Fig. 3 is a sectional view drawn on line w 00 of Fig. 2.

Like parts are identified by the same ref erence-letters throughout the several views.

The mouth-bars A A are secured to the respective side rings B B and pass through the space between the guide-bars O O of the opposing side rings, with rein-rings D secured to their free ends, all in substantially the same manner as shown in said former patent.

Referring to the construction of the side rings, however, it will be observed that the inner surface of each ring is continuous in a single plane without any projections, indentations, or irregularities, thus presenting a smooth bearing-surface to the cheek of the horse. The guide-bars O are offset outwardly from the rings at both ends, the ring being thickened outwardly at the points B, where the bars are attached. iVith this construction the spring-holding spindle or rod E can be readily made to extend from the cross-head F through an aperture G in the thickened portion of the ring B, thereby avoiding all necessity for the objectionable inwardly-extending lug shown in my former patent and locating the spring I-I farther from the check of the horse and out of frictional contact therewith.

In order to limit the forward movement of the cross-head F, I have provided the guidebars 0 with inwardly-projecting lugs or stops I, against which the cross-head F is adapted to impinge, thus leaving a space J, within which the m0uth-bars are permitted the utmost freedom of movement.

It will be understood that in operation the side rings are drawn inwardly against the jaws of the horse when the mouth-bars are drawn outwardly and backwardly by a pull upon the reins, and the jaws of the horse are forced apart by the pressure of the rings at the sides thereof, thus preventing the horse from holding the bit between the teeth. I therefore attach great importance to the provision of the lugs or stops 1, as the mouth-bars are thereby permitted the greatest possible freedom of movement and do not'bear upon the cross-head nor compress the spring except when subjected to an unusually strong pull upon the reins.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A bridle-bit having the side rings thereof, each formed with a smooth inner surface continuous in a single plane; guide-bars crossing said rings and oifset at both ends outwardly therefrom 3 a spring-actuated cross-head slidably secured to said guide-bars; and projecting lugs or stops adapted to limit the movement of the cross-head upon said guide-bars; together with a, pair of month-bars, each se- 5 cured at one end to one of the side rings, and having its free end extended between the guide-bars of the other side ring in front of the cross-head and lugs, and a rein-ring oarried by said free end, substantially for the purpose set forth. 10

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of March, 1899.

WILLIAM P. BROWN. In presence of- JAs. B. ERWIN, LEVERETT 0. WHEELER. 

